Tennessee Voices, Episode 232: Lisa C. Uhrik, author of 'America Becoming'
What if the polarization and caustic rhetoric of the present era is something the United States could grow out of?
As people go from adolescence to adulthood, they gain maturity, perspective and knowledge built on what they have learned about what they have done right and wrong.
In her new book "America Becoming," development psychologist and speaker Lisa C. Uhrik explains how the USA is on a developmental journey and is on the cusp effectively of growing up from a teenager to a young adult.
She talked about her book and her work on this episode of the Tennessee Voices podcast.
We discussed the common civic virtues of America's Founding Fathers that led to establishing public libraries, fire departments, universities and hospitals, and how service to others helps society as a whole.
Uhrik spoke about the connection between independence and interdependence, and also the contradictions in American democratic society that kept the vote and other rights from women and people of color for decades.
She is adamant about creating spaces for dialogue where people choose to listen and engage each other respectfully. Uhrik also encourages Americans to read, research, ponder and explore one's curiosity.
Related essay: Are we headed for civil war or a civility revival?
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About Tennessee Voices
The Tennessee Voices videocast is a 20-minute program, which started in March 2020 and invites leaders, thinkers and innovators who have written guest columns for a USA TODAY Network Tennessee publication to share their insights and wisdom with me and our viewers.
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David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and an editorial board member of The Tennessean. Tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Taking U.S. from adolescence to adulthood with Lisa C. Uhrik: Video
